Refrigerator having a beverage requester

ABSTRACT

A beverage dispensing apparatus for a residential refrigerator. The beverage dispensing apparatus of the present invention includes a drink supplier including a drink supply canister holder for holding a plurality of drink supply canisters, a plurality of valve actuators for causing the drink supply to be selectively released from the drink supply canisters, a water supplier for selectively supplying carbonated water and non-carbonated water for producing the beverages, a gas supplier for supplying CO 2  gas to carbonate the carbonated water provided by the water supplier and for supplying CO 2  gas or other gas for pressurizing the drink supply canisters to provide a consistent flow rate of the drink supply from the drink supply canisters, and one or more beverage requesters for enabling users to request one of a plurality of beverages.

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application is a divisional of and claims priority to andthe benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/007,419, filed Nov.30, 2001, entitled “Beverage Dispensing Apparatus,” the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein in its entirety, which is acontinuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/589,725 filed Jun. 8, 2000 entitled, “BeverageDistribution and Dispensing System and Method.”

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is related to the following commonly ownedco-pending patent applications: “Beverage Distribution and DispensingSystem and Method,” Ser. No. 09/589,725, Attorney Docket No. 0112807-002(Referenced Above); “Appliance Supply Distribution, Dispensing and UseSystem and Method,” Ser. No. 10/035,734, Attorney Docket No.0112807-013; “Beverage Dispensing Apparatus Having Fluid Director,” Ser.No. 10/007,059, Attorney Docket No. 0112807-014; “Beverage DispensingApparatus Having Drink Supply Canister Holder,” Ser. No. 10/011,173,Attorney Docket No. 0112807-015; “Beverage Dispensing Apparatus HavingCarbonated And Non-Carbonated Water Supplier,” Ser. No. 10/007,438,Attorney Docket No. 0112807-016; “Drink Supply Canister For DispensingApparatus,” Ser. No. 10/010,108, Attorney Docket No. 0112807-017; and“Refrigerator Having a Gas Supply Apparatus for Pressurizing DrinkSupply Canisters,” Ser. No. ______, Attorney Docket No. 0112870-025.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains ormay contain material which is subject to copyright protection. Thecopyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyoneof the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form itappears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, butotherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

[0004] The present invention relates in general to a beverage dispensingapparatus, and in particular to a beverage dispensing apparatus for aresidential refrigerator which produces and dispenses carbonated andnon-carbonated beverages from a plurality of drink supply canisters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Many households in the United States and throughout the worldconsume large volumes of beverages such as soft drinks, sodas, juices,lemonade, teas, isotonics, fruit drinks and other beverages on a dailybasis. For instance, in 1998 retail sales of soft drinks in the UnitedStates were approximately 54 billion dollars, retail sales of fruitdrinks in the United States were approximately 17.5 billion dollars andretail sales of isotonics in the United States were approximately 2.25billion dollars.

[0006] Manufacturers in the beverage industry produce packaged beveragesfor consumers in the form of bottles, cans and cartons. They alsoproduce liquid and powder beverage concentrates which require consumerpreparation. Preparing beverages from concentrate by hand can beburdensome, time consuming and monotonous. Producing carbonatedbeverages from concentrate in homes using know commercial equipment isimpractical because special equipment and supplies are required. Suchhome mixed beverages are often of inconsistent quality and flavor.

[0007] For those who choose not to prepare beverages from concentrates,maintaining an adequate supply of packaged ready-to-drink beverages canbe relatively burdensome for families which experience a largeconsumption of beverages. Beverage containers, consisting largely ofwater, are somewhat heavy, and such beverage containers occupysubstantial space in refrigerators. In many families, at least once perweek, family members stock their refrigerators with packaged beveragesbecause of limited refrigerator space. The amount of availablerefrigerator space limits a family's supply of refrigeratedready-to-drink beverages.

[0008] One way of minimizing a family's beverage supply tasks is byusing a refrigerator which produces and dispenses ready-to-drinkbeverages. A number of beverage dispensing devices have been proposedspecifically for household refrigerators, some of which involveproducing carbonated beverages. The most common device enables consumersto dispense water and ice from a dispenser built into the exterior of arefrigerator door. Such types of dispensers are disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,956,967 and 6,039,219. Other dispensers enable consumers todispense ready-to-drink beverages. Certain of these devices involve aconnection between a beverage container in the refrigerator and a spoutattached to the outside of the refrigerator. Pumping and otherapproaches have also been suggested to move the ready-to-drink beveragefrom the container through the spout. Devices such as these aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,791,523, 5,791,517, 5,542,265 and4,930,666.

[0009] One refrigerator dispenser, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,949,903,involves the mixing of syrup and water and the dispensing ofnon-carbonated beverages. Another refrigerator dispenser disclosed inU.S. Reissue Pat. No. Re. 32,179 involves the mixing of syrup andcarbonated water and the dispensing of carbonated beverages.

[0010] One problem with these refrigerator dispensers is the need toclean them. Since the refrigerator dispensers house and distributeconsumable beverages, the dispenser components which come into contactwith fluids must be cleaned to avoid bacteria growth and othercontamination. The existing refrigerator dispensers include a relativelyhigh number of separate components which require regular cleansing toprevent contamination. Furthermore, many of the components are notremovable, and many are difficult to fully clean. Therefore, it isinconvenient and in many cases not possible to fully clean thecomponents of the currently known refrigerator dispensers withoutdisassembling these dispensers.

[0011] Although known refrigerator devices may enable users to dispensecarbonated and non-carbonated beverages from residential refrigerators,the construction of these devices is relatively complex, and the use,supply and maintenance of these devices is relatively inconvenient,cumbersome, time consuming and generally impractical. Additionally, suchknow devices do not solve problems such as cross-contamination ofdifferent beverages. Thus, while the patents indicated above disclosebeverage dispensing mechanisms, there is no known commercially availablerefrigerator system for dispensing ready-to-drink beverages whicheliminate cross-contamination problems.

[0012] Dispensing machines in commercial establishments are also wellknown for producing concentrate-based beverages. These machines, oftenfound in restaurants and eateries, typically involve the mixing of syrupand carbonated or non-carbonated water and the dispensing of beverages,such as soda. Commercial machines such as these are disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,647,512, 5,392,960 and 4,993,604. However, such commercialmachines have not been suitably adapted for residential or home use oruse in conjunction with residential refrigerators.

[0013] Countertop units for dispensing beverages have also beendeveloped. For instance, Bev Star, Inc. produces a three drinkcountertop dispenser. However, such countertop units take up substantialadditional counter space which is highly undesirable in most households.These devices also only dispense a limited number of drinks. Suchcountertop units may have valve brixing problems, mechanical failuresand general reliability issues. Countertop units also utilize mechanicalrefrigeration to chill the water, which adds tremendous costs to thepotential home consumer, thus adding to the impracticability of theapplication for the home user.

[0014] Accordingly, the assignee of the present invention owns U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/589,725 entitled “Beverage Distributionand Dispensing System and Method” which discloses and claims a beveragedistribution and dispensing system which enables users to dispense aplurality of beverages from a residential refrigerator, which tracksbeverage consumption and the use of the drink supply and CO₂ supply,which automatically orders drink supply and CO₂ supply as necessary,which facilitates the delivery of drink supply and CO₂ supply to theusers, which enables the users to determine beverage consumption and tochange the dispensed beverages, and which reduces the need to storeconventional beverage containers in the refrigerators of the users.

[0015] The present invention provides an improved beverage dispensingapparatus which is adapted to be used in conjunction with the beveragedistribution system disclosed in that U.S. patent application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The beverage dispensing apparatus of the present invention ispreferably housed within a residential refrigerator to enable consumersto practically, conveniently and reliably produce and dispensenon-carbonated and carbonated beverages from their refrigerators. Thedispensing apparatus also facilitates the commercial availability andstandardized manufacture and distribution of drink supply canisters andCO₂ gas supply canisters for residential refrigerators.

[0017] For purposes of this application, the term: (a) “user” or “users”includes users of the beverage dispensing apparatus of the presentinvention such as users, consumers, household members and otheroperators of the apparatus;

[0018] (b) “beverage dispensing apparatus” is alternatively referred toas “dispensing apparatus” or “beverage dispenser”; (c) “beverage”includes any ready-to-drink liquid; and (d) “drink supply” includes anyliquid, which in and of itself, is a ready-to-drink liquid or any liquidor non-liquid which requires the addition of carbonated ornon-carbonated water or other fluid(s) in order to become aready-to-drink beverage including, but not limited to, any syrup orconcentrate which consists of predetermined percentages of water andflavoring or sugar.

[0019] Generally, one embodiment of the beverage dispensing apparatus ofthe present invention includes: (a) a drink supplier including a drinksupply canister holder for holding or maintaining at least one andpreferably a plurality of drink supply canisters, and at least one andpreferably a plurality of valve actuators for causing the drink supplyto be selectively released from the drink supply canisters; (b) a watersupplier for selectively supplying carbonated water and non-carbonatedwater for producing the beverages; (c) a gas supplier for supplying CO₂gas to carbonate the carbonated water provided by the water supplier,and in one embodiment, for supplying CO₂ gas or other gas forpressurizing the drink supply canisters to provide a consistent flowrate of the drink supply from the drink supply canisters; (d) a beveragecontainer compartment for holding a beverage collector or container suchas a glass, cup or pitcher; (e) in one embodiment, a fluid director forfacilitating the mixing of the drink supply from one of the drink supplycanisters and the carbonated or non-carbonated water from the watersupplier and for directing the mixed beverage to the beverage containercompartment; (f) a controller or dispensing computer or processor forcontrolling and tracking the dispensing of drink supply and carbonatedor non-carbonated water; and (g) one or more suitable beveragerequesters (such as indicators, actuators, buttons, a touch panel or atouch screen) for enabling users to request one of a plurality ofbeverages.

[0020] In one alternative embodiment of the present invention, the gassupplier includes an air pressurizer or pressurization device forpressurizing the drink supply canisters to reduce the volume of CO₂ gasused by the dispensing apparatus.

[0021] In one preferred alternative embodiment, the drink supply andcarbonated or non-carbonated water is directed directly to a beveragecontainer in the beverage container compartment (i.e., without a fluiddirector) to eliminate any potential cross-contamination and the need toregularly clean the fluid director. These and other alternativeembodiments of the present invention are discussed in more detail below.

[0022] Generally, in operation, after the user installs the drink supplycanisters, the CO₂ gas or other pressurized gas from the gas supplierpressurizes the drink supply canisters. When a user desires to obtain abeverage, the user makes the user's request through the beveragerequester which is preferably connected to or in communication with thedispensing computer or controller. The controller determines the user'srequest and generates a beverage dispense signal. Upon receiving abeverage dispense signal from the controller, the appropriate drinksupply outlet valve actuator associated with the appropriate drinksupply outlet valve in the appropriate drink supply canister opens for apredetermined period of time to dispense the appropriate amount of drinksupply from the drink supply canister. This drink supply is directedinto one of the channels of the fluid director (or in the alternativeembodiment directly into the beverage container). Simultaneously, uponreceiving a beverage request signal from the controller, the watersupplier directs the appropriate amount of carbonated or non-carbonatedwater into the same channel of the fluid director (or in the alternativeembodiment directly into the same beverage container). The drink and thecarbonated or non-carbonated water mix in that channel of the fluiddirector (or in the alternative embodiment, mix as both the drink supplyand carbonated or non-carbonated water are directed into the beveragecontainer), and the fluid director directs the mixed drink supply andthe carbonated or non-carbonated water (i.e., the beverage) to thebeverage container compartment.

[0023] The drink supply canister holder is preferably built into orconstructed within the freezer compartment door or refrigeratorcompartment door, and includes drink supply canister slots or areas forreceiving and holding the plurality of drink supply canisters. The drinksupply canister holder enables users to remove used drink supplycanisters and insert new drink supply canisters into the drink supplycanister holder.

[0024] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drinksupply canister is a pressurizable encasement which has a gas inletvalve and a drink supply outlet valve. One embodiment of the gas inletvalve is a spring activated valve which is predisposed to be normallyclosed to prevent the flow of gas into or out of the drink supplycanister. When the gas inlet valve is depressed or activated, gas suchas CO₂ or pressurized air is communicated through the gas inlet valveinto the drink supply canister. One embodiment of the drink supplyoutlet valve includes a sealing member which is positioned in the bottomwall or end of the canister such that the sealing member can be tiltedor displaced horizontally. The drink supply outlet valve maintains aseal on the inside of the canister when the drink supply canister ispressurized. When the sealing member is displaced, the sealing memberunseats, and the drink supply outlet valve opens and causes pressurizeddrink supply to flow from the drink supply canister. One or more valveactuators are mounted to or adjacent to the drink supply canisterholder. When a user activates a beverage requester, a controller causesone of the valve actuators to engage and displace the sealing member ofthe drink supply outlet valve for a predetermined amount of time, whichin turn causes drink supply to flow from the drink supply canister.After a predetermined time period elapses, the valve actuator disengagesthe sealing member, stopping the flow of drink supply from the drinksupply canister. It should be appreciated that the present inventioncontemplates alternative suitable gas inlet valves, drink supply outletvalves and drink supply outlet valve actuators as discussed below.

[0025] The water supplier of the present invention provides carbonatedand non-carbonated water to the fluid director or directly to thebeverage container in the beverage container compartment for mixing thebeverages. The water supplier is connected to a drinkable water source,such as a conventional cold water source commonly available inresidential kitchens. One embodiment of the water supplier includes aholding tank which stores a sufficient supply of water. The water supplyfrom the holding tank is used if a user requests the dispensingapparatus to dispense non-carbonated water alone or if the dispensingapparatus requires substantial amounts of non-carbonated water. Thewater supplier also includes a carbonation tank connected to the gassupplier. The carbonation tank uses CO₂ gas obtained from the CO₂ gassupply canister and particularly the gas supplier to carbonate thewater.

[0026] In one embodiment, a carbonated water supply line and anon-carbonated water supply line are each separately mounted above thefluid director or directly above the beverage container compartment. Inone embodiment, the water supplier includes a plurality of carbonatedwater valves and non-carbonated water valves. The carbonated watervalves are connected to the carbonated water line, and thenon-carbonated water valves are connected to the non-carbonated waterline. A water valve actuator is mounted adjacent to and connected toeach carbonated water valve and each non-carbonated water valve. When auser activates a beverage requester, the controller causes a water valveactuator to engage and open a carbonated water valve or a non-carbonatedwater valve located above a particular channel of the fluid director ordirectly above the beverage container compartment. The actuatormaintains the valve open for a predetermined amount of time. After suchtime elapses, the water valve actuator allows the valve to close. Inanother embodiment illustrated, the carbonated water line is connectedto a single multi-way carbonated water valve, and the non-carbonatedwater line is connected to a single multi-way non-carbonated watervalve. When a user activates a beverage requester, the water valveactuator causes a multi-way valve to open and direct water to one of aplurality of channels for a predetermined period of time.

[0027] It should be appreciated that the drink supply outlet valveactuators and the water valve actuators can be constructed such thatboth cause the respective valves to open for the time period duringwhich the beverage requester is activated by the user. In such case, theexact amount of drink supply and carbonated and/or non-carbonated waterare dispensed simultaneously to form the beverage.

[0028] One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes aplurality of water dispensers connected to the carbonated andnon-carbonated water lines. The water dispensers are disposed between orconnected to each pair of carbonated water valves and non-carbonatedwater valves over each channel entrance of the fluid director or overthe predetermined location or slot for each beverage container in theembodiments without the fluid director. Depending on the request by theuser and the type of beverages dispensed, either the non-carbonatedwater valve or the carbonated water valve will open and allownon-carbonated water or carbonated water to flow into the waterdispenser. The water dispenser diffuses and directs the water into theappropriate channel of the fluid director or directly into the drinksupply steam and the appropriate beverage container in the beveragecontainer compartment. It should be appreciated that for some beverages,both the carbonated and non-carbonated water will be employed to createthe correct mixture for the carbonated beverage.

[0029] In one embodiment, each water dispenser is a substantiallycylindrical ring or tube referred to herein as a water ring. The waterring defines a central opening or aperture which enables the drinksupply to flow through the water ring. The water ring includes aplurality of relatively small openings or orifices along its lower orinner circumference. When water flows into the water ring from one ofthe water valves, the water flows through the orifices, forming a sprayor other relatively even distribution of water. The drink supply outletvalve of the drink supply canister is positioned over the centralopening of the water ring to direct the drink supply into the channel ofthe fluid director or directly into the beverage container through thewater ring. This causes the drink supply and the water to mix on the flyin the desired ratios. It should be appreciated that the water ring doesnot need to be cylindrical or completely cylindrical as discussed indetail below.

[0030] The gas supplier of the beverage dispenser includes one or more,and preferably a plurality of gas supply canisters which contain CO₂gas. In one embodiment, the gas supplier includes a gas supply canisterholder adapted to hold at least one and preferably a plurality of gassupply canisters. The gas supply canister holder may be attached to ormounted in the freezer compartment door, refrigerator compartment dooror any suitable location in or connected to the refrigerator. Each gassupply canister includes a gas supply canister valve. The gas supplierincludes a gas line connected to the gas supply canister holder orframe, and adapted to direct the gas to a gas manifold which equalizesor substantially equalizes the pressurized gas provided by each gassupply canister and provides a single stream of gas. In one embodiment,the gas stream serves a dual purpose and in particular is provided topressurize the drink supply canisters and to carbonate the water in thecarbonation tank for the production of carbonated water. In anotherembodiment, the gas stream is used to carbonate the water in thecarbonation tank and an independent gas pressurizer is provided topressurize the drink supply canisters.

[0031] In one embodiment, the controller includes a computer andelectronic components and connections. The computer includes at leastone processor and one or more memory devices for storing data and atleast one actuation program, routine or module. The actuation programprovides the processor with instructions for controlling the operation(including the synchronization) of the drink supply and water supplyactuators and valves for providing the correct brix ratios for differentbeverages. It should be appreciated that the actuation program willinclude the appropriate brix ratios for the different beverages adaptedto be dispensed from the beverage dispenser of the present invention. Itshould also be appreciated that the controller or the beverage requestercan include an input mechanism which enables a user to select the typeof beverage being dispensed.

[0032] It should also be appreciated that the dispensing apparatus ofthe present invention can be adapted to communicate electronically withany computer dispensing apparatus or electronic network. In oneembodiment, the computer of the controller can electronicallycommunicate with an order processing dispensing apparatus throughcommunication channels such as existing telephone lines, cable lines,wireless communications or the Internet as described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/589,725.

[0033] The beverage dispensing apparatus of the present inventionthereby enables users to produce and dispense carbonated andnon-carbonated beverages from their refrigerators. The dispensingapparatus provides a relatively high degree of consistent control overfluid flow rates and fluid mixing. The dispensing apparatus achievesthis level of control through the use of pressurized drink supplycanisters and computer-controlled valve activation. In addition, thedrink supply canisters and gas supply containers are constructed in sucha manner so as to facilitate their standardization, manufacture andcommercialization on a large scale basis.

[0034] It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to providea beverage dispensing apparatus.

[0035] A further advantage of the present invention is to provide abeverage dispensing apparatus which dispenses a plurality of carbonatedand non-carbonated drinks from a residential refrigerator.

[0036] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide abeverage dispensing apparatus for refrigerators which has reliable andconsistent control over the flow of drink supply and water.

[0037] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide abeverage dispensing apparatus for refrigerators which includespressurized drink supply canisters allowing for a relatively high degreeof control over drink flow.

[0038] Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide abeverage dispensing apparatus for refrigerators which has computercontrol over drink supply and water flow.

[0039] A further advantage of the present invention is to provide abeverage dispensing apparatus for refrigerators which is relativelyconvenient to use and maintain.

[0040] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer tolike parts, elements, components, steps and processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a refrigeratorhaving the beverage dispensing apparatus of one embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating the drink supply canister access door,drink supply canisters, beverage container compartment, beveragecontainer, fluid director and beverage requesters.

[0042]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the interiorcompartment of the refrigerator illustrating the beverage dispensingapparatus of FIG. 1, and specifically illustrating one embodiment ofdrink supply canister holder, one embodiment of gas supply canisterholder, one embodiment of gas supplier and one embodiment of watersupplier.

[0043]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the dispensing apparatus of FIG.1 schematically illustrating the drink supply canisters, water supplier,gas supplier, fluid director and controller or dispensing computer.

[0044]FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the exteriorof the refrigerator of FIG. 1 illustrating a person inserting a drinksupply canister in the drink supply canister holder in the refrigerator.

[0045]FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the exteriorof the refrigerator of FIG. 1 illustrating a person inserting the fluiddirector into the refrigerator.

[0046]FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the exteriorof the refrigerator of FIG. 1 shown with the drink supply canisteraccess door and locking member in a closed position.

[0047]FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the exteriorof the refrigerator of FIG. 1 with the drink supply access door in aclosed position, a partially broken away view of the fluid directoraccess door in a closed position, a user's hand touching a beveragerequestor and the beverage being dispensed.

[0048]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary front perspective view of a drink supplycanister holder of the embodiment of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1shown removed from the refrigerator.

[0049]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of a drink supplycanister holder of the embodiment of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1shown removed from the refrigerator.

[0050]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a drink supply canisterpositioned in relation to part of the water supplier, the fluid directorand a beverage container of the embodiment of the dispensing apparatusof FIG. 1.

[0051]FIG. 11A is an enlarged fragmentary front perspective view of adrink supply canister, part of the water supplier including the watervalves and value actuators and the fluid director of the embodiment ofthe dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0052]FIG. 11B is an enlarged fragmentary side perspective view of adrink supply canister, part of the water supplier including the waterrings, the water valves and valve actuators and the fluid director ofthe embodiment of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0053]FIG. 11C is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of part ofthe water supplier including an alternative embodiment of the water ringof the present invention.

[0054]FIG. 11D is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a furtheralternative embodiment of the water supplier including an alternativeembodiment of the water tube of the present invention.

[0055]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of part of the water supplierincluding the water dispenser or water ring, and the fluid director ofembodiment of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0056]FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of part of thewater supplier including the water dispenser or water ring directingwater into the fluid director of the embodiment of the dispensingapparatus of FIG. 1.

[0057]FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a water supplier illustratingwater supply lines, a multi-way carbonated water valve, a multi-waynon-carbonated water valve, valve actuators and a fluid director of analternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0058]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the fluid director of theembodiment of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0059]FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the fluid director of theembodiment of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1 shown partially brokenaway to illustrate the channels in the fluid director.

[0060]FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the drinksupply canister relative to the drink supply canister holder and thedrink supply valve actuator for the drink supply outlet valve in theembodiment of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0061]FIG. 17A is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the drinksupply canister and an alternative embodiment of the drink supply valveactuator.

[0062]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the top end of the drink supplycanister having the gas inlet valve in the embodiment of the dispensingapparatus of FIG. 1.

[0063]FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the drink supply canisterillustrating the drink supply outlet valve of the embodiment of thedispensing apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0064]FIG. 20 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of thedrink supply canister securing member of the drink supply canisterholder in open position and the drink supply canister which illustratesone embodiment of the gas inlet valve actuator not engaging the gasinlet valve in the drink supply canister.

[0065]FIG. 21 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of thedrink supply canister securing member of the drink supply canisterholder in the closed position, the drink supply canister, the drinksupply canister support and the drink supply outlet valve whichillustrates the drink supply outlet valve actuator engaging the drinksupply outlet valve in the drink supply canister and the gas inlet valveactuator engaging the gas inlet valve in the drink supply canister.

[0066]FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of the gas supply canister holder,gas supply canisters, gas manifold, gas pressure regulator and two-waygas valve of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0067]FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of the gas supply canister holder,gas supply canisters, gas supply canister binder, gas manifold, gaspressure regulator and two-way gas valve of an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0068]FIG. 24A is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention shown removed from the refrigeratorand including the drink supply canister holder, a drink supply canister,a fluid director and a gas supplier.

[0069]FIGS. 24B, 24C and 24D are fragmentary perspective views of analternative embodiment of the present invention shown removed from therefrigerator and including the beverage requesters, drink supplier,water supplier and gas supplier.

[0070]FIG. 25 is a fragmentary perspective view of the exterior of therefrigerator of an alternative embodiment of the present inventionhaving a rotating or pivoting drink supply canister holder.

[0071]FIG. 26 is a fragmentary perspective view of the exterior of therefrigerator of a further alternative embodiment of the presentinvention having a sliding drink supply canister access door.

[0072]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodimentof a fluid director of the present invention including carbonated waterinlets and non-carbonated water inlets.

[0073]FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodimentof the beverage dispenser having an alternative embodiment of the fluiddirector of the present invention.

[0074]FIG. 29 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of theposition of drink supply canister relative to the position of the waterdispenser of one alternative embodiment of the present invention andillustrating in phantom the actuation of the drink supply outlet valve,the dispensing of the drink supply from the drink supply outlet valveand the water from the water dispenser directly into a beveragecollector.

[0075]FIGS. 30A and 30B are fragmentary perspective views of alternativeembodiments of the drink supply canister of the present invention and agas injector adapted to engage the drink supply canister.

[0076]FIG. 31 is a flow diagram of the operation of one embodiment ofthe dispensing apparatus of the present invention.

[0077]FIGS. 32, 33, 34 and 35 are fragmentary perspective views of arefrigerator door and an alternative embodiment of the drink supplycanister holder of the present invention which illustrates part of thedrink supply canister holder pivoting toward the interior of therefrigerator, the placement of drink supply canisters in the drinksupply canister holder and the actuation of the drink supply securingmember of the canister holder.

[0078]FIG. 36A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thedrink supply canister holder of the present invention illustratedremoved from a door of the refrigerator and illustrating the drinksupply canisters mounted in this holder.

[0079]FIG. 36B is an interior view of the drink supply canister holderof FIG. 36A.

[0080]FIG. 36C is a side view of the drink supply canister holder ofFIG. 36A illustrating the rotation of one of the individual independentcanister holders or compartments rotated to an accessible position.

[0081]FIGS. 37A to 37F are perspective views of a further alternativeembodiment of the beverage dispenser of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION General Description of FluidDirector Embodiment

[0082] Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6 and 7, one embodiment of the beverage dispenser or beveragedispensing apparatus of the present invention, generally indicated bynumeral 10, is adapted to be mounted in a housing and particularly in arefrigerator 12. The refrigerator 12 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6and 7 is a residential side-by-side refrigerator which includes afreezer compartment door 14, a refrigeration compartment door 16, afreezer compartment 18 and a refrigeration compartment 20. Therefrigerator 12 also includes standard refrigerator components such as arefrigeration system including a compressor (not shown). Therefrigerator 12 may also include a water filter or filtration system andwater routing system (not shown) integrated with the beverage dispenseror alternatively separate from the beverage dispenser 10. It should beappreciated that the beverage dispenser of the present invention may beadapted for any suitable refrigerator or other such suitable housing orstructure.

[0083] As generally illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the beveragedispenser or beverage dispensing apparatus 10 of one embodiment of thepresent invention includes: (a) a drink supplier 21 including a drinksupply canister holder or frame 22 for receiving and holding ormaintaining at least one and preferably a plurality of drink supplycontainers or canisters 24, and at least one and preferably a pluralityof drink supply valve actuators (see FIG. 10) for causing the drinksupply to be selectively released from the drink supply canisters 24;(b) a water supplier 26 for selectively supplying carbonated water andnon-carbonated water for mixing or making the beverages; (c) a gassupplier 28 for supplying CO₂ gas to carbonate the carbonated waterprovided by the water supplier 26, and for supplying CO₂ gas or othergas such as air from an air pressurizer (not shown) for pressurizing thedrink supply containers or canisters 24; (d) a beverage containercompartment 30 for holding the beverage collectors or containers 32 suchas a glass, cup or pitcher; (e) a fluid director 34 for facilitating themixing of the drink supply from one of the drink supply containers orcanisters 24 and the carbonated or non-carbonated water from the watersupplier 26 and for directing the mixed beverage to the beveragecontainer compartment 30; (f) a controller 38 for controlling andtracking the dispensing of drink supply and carbonated andnon-carbonated water; and (g) one or more suitable beverage requesters36 (such as indicators, buttons, actuators, sensors, a keyboard, touchpanel, touch screen or any combination thereof) for enabling a user torequest one of a plurality of beverages. These components are allpreferably mounted in the refrigerator 12, although it should beappreciated that one or more of these components could be mountedadjacent to, in a structure adjacent to or spaced apart from therefrigerator.

[0084] As further generally illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, inoperation of this embodiment, after the user installs the drink supplycanisters 24 (and closes the drink supply canister access door 40 asdiscussed below), the gas inlet valve (discussed below) associated witheach drink supply canister 24 allows the CO₂ gas (or other pressurizedgas) to flow from the gas supplier 28 into that drink supply canister24. This pressurizes the drink supply canister 24. When a user desiresto obtain a beverage, the user makes the user's request through one ofthe beverage requesters 36 which is connected to or in communicationwith the controller 38 as illustrated in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 3, thecontroller 38 generates the appropriate beverage dispense signal. Uponreceiving a beverage dispense signal from the controller 38, the drinksupply outlet valve (discussed below) associated with the appropriatedrink supply canister 24 is opened or opens to dispense the appropriateamount of drink supply from the drink supply canister 24. This drinksupply flows into one of the channels of the fluid director 34 asgenerally illustrated in FIG. 7. Simultaneously, upon receipt of abeverage dispense signal from the controller 38, the water supplier 26directs the appropriate amount of carbonated or non-carbonated waterinto the same channel of the fluid director 34 as discussed below and asillustrated in FIG. 7. The drink and the carbonated or non-carbonatedwater mix in that channel of the fluid director 34, and the fluiddirector directs the mixture of the drink and the carbonated ornon-carbonated water (i.e., the beverage) to the beverage containercompartment 30. The channel of the fluid director 34 directs thebeverage into a beverage container 32 such as a glass, cup or pitcher asillustrated in FIG. 7.

[0085] As mentioned above, other alternative embodiments of the beveragedispensing apparatus of the present do not include a fluid director. Thedrink supplier and the water supplier respectively, direct the drinksupply from the appropriate drink supply canister and the carbonated ornon-carbonated water directly into the beverage containers as discussedin more detail below.

Drink Supply Canister Holder Or Frame

[0086] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, thedrink supply canister holder or frame 22 is built into or constructedwithin an insulated area of the freezer compartment door 14. It shouldbe appreciated that the drink canister holder or frame 22 canalternatively be built into the refrigerator compartment door 16 or therefrigerator compartment 20. It should also be appreciated that thedrink canister holder or frame 22 can also be built into the freezercompartment 18 if suitably insulated to prevent the drink supply in thedrink supply canisters 24 from freezing. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, a suitable drink supply canister access door 40 ispivotally attached to the holder 22 or, alternatively, the freezercompartment door 14, for providing users access to the drink supplycanisters 24 in the holder 22 as generally illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 5,6 and 7. This enables the user to easily replace the drink supplycanisters 24. It should be appreciated that the drink supply canisteraccess door 40 alternatively may be located in the interior of therefrigerator 12 and also that any suitable access door or accessmechanism may be used in conjunction with the drink supply canisterholder of the present invention. For instance, the drink supply accessdoor may be connected to the holder 22 or freezer compartment door 14 inany suitable movable fashion such as a horizontally disposed slidingdoor (not shown) or a vertically disposed sliding door (40 b) asillustrated in FIG. 26 and discussed below. Alternatively, the entiredrink supply canister holder or frame 22 a could be pivotally mounted inthe door (or other part of the refrigerator) as illustrated in FIG. 25and discussed below. The drink supply canister holder may be furtheralternatively constructed as illustrated in FIGS. 36A to 36C where eachdrink supply canister is individually held by a separate compartment asalso further discussed below.

[0087] As further illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 8 and 9, oneembodiment of the drink supply canister holder 22 includes a drinksupply canister support 42, a vertically extending exterior drink supplycanister guide or member 44 connected to the drink supply canistersupport 42, a substantially vertically extending interior drink supplycanister guide or member 46 connected to the drink supply canistersupport 42 and a drink supply canister securing member 48 pivotallyconnected to the interior member 46. In this illustrated embodiment, thedrink supply canister support 42 includes drink supply canisterreceptacles or slots 50 a, 50 b, 50 c and 50 d, respectively, forreceiving and holding the drink supply canisters. Likewise, securingmember 48 includes drink supply canister receptacles or slots 52 a, 52b, 52 c and 52 d for receiving, maintaining and securing the drinksupply canisters in the holder 56. In the embodiment of the presentinvention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 through 9, the drink supplycanister frame or holder 22 holds four drink supply canisters 24. Itshould be appreciated that the number of beverages provided by thebeverage dispenser of the present invention could vary and that thenumber of drink supply canisters and drink supply canister receptacleswill vary depending on the number of beverages which the manufacturerdesires the refrigerator to dispense. In the illustrated embodiment, thecanister securing member 48 includes a plurality of gas supplier valves54 a, 54 b, 54 c and 54 d which are part of the gas supplier 28 and aregenerally illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 and described in more detailbelow. It should be appreciated that alternative embodiments of the gassupplier and gas supplier valves are further discussed in detail below.

[0088] In this embodiment, the drink supply canister access door 40 isconnected to the securing member 48 in such a manner that: (a) thesecuring member 48 opens when the drink supply canister access door 40opens; and (b) the securing member 48 closes when the drink supplycanister access door 40 closes. When the securing member 48 and drinksupply canister access door 40 are open, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 8and 9, a user can remove used or empty drink supply canisters and insertnew or filled drink supply canisters into the drink supply canisterholder 22. In this embodiment, the securing member 48 is directlyattached to the drink supply canister access door 40 by a suitablemechanical link 56 (fragmentarily illustrated) between the drink supplycanister access door 40 and the securing member 48. Link 56 includes twoconnecting bars 58 a and 58 b which pivotally connect (not shown) thedrink supply canister access door 40 to the securing member 48. Itshould be appreciated that the simultaneous actuation of the drinksupply canister access door 40 and securing member 48 may beaccomplished using any suitable mechanical or electromechanicalmechanism or linkage including, without limitation, electronic switches,motors or other electrical devices.

[0089] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, one embodiment of thepresent invention includes a drink supply canister holder 22 having avertically sliding access door lock 60 which locks the securing member48 in place and prevents the drink supply canister access door 40 fromopening when in the locked position. It should be appreciated that thepresent invention can include any suitable locking device for keepingthe drink supply canister access door closed and locked, and that thelock may be located on the interior of the refrigerator 12 for aestheticreasons. The present invention further contemplates that the lock couldalso or alternatively lock the drink supply canister holder in theclosed position. It should also be appreciated that the beveragerequestors or other control device could be used to unlock, open orprovide access to the drink supply canisters. It should further beappreciated that the lock may alternatively be electrically operatedsuch as by a solenoid which is controlled by a user activator orindicator.

[0090] In the illustrated embodiment, when the securing member 48closes, the canister receptacles 52 a, 52 b, 52 c and 52 d engage andfit over the drink supply canisters 24 to restrict their movement.Additionally, when the securing member 48 closes, the gas suppliervalves 54 a, 54 b, 54 c and 54 d also depress the gas inlet valves(discussed below) in the drink supply canisters 24 to enable CO₂ gas (oranother pressurized gas such as air) to flow into and pressurize thedrink supply canisters 24 as discussed in more detail below. It shouldfurther be appreciated that a suitable alternative apparatus or methodmay be employed to pressurize the drink supply containers as discussedbelow. For instance, the gas supplier valves may include direct gasinjectors as discussed below.

[0091] In one embodiment, the drink supply canister holder 22 and thedrink supply canisters 24 include co-acting mating members (not shown)which ensure that suitable drink supply canisters are used in connectionwith the beverage dispenser 10. The present invention contemplates thatone mating member may be disposed on each drink supply canister and theother mating member for each drink supply canister is disposed on thedrink supply canister holder 22, such as in the drink supply canistersupport 42. The mating members enable the drink supply canister holder22 to receive only predetermined drink supply canisters 24, therebyensuring that users use only appropriate drink supply canisters in thebeverage dispenser of the present invention. In one example embodiment,the canister receptacles 50 a to 50 d and/or canister receptacles 52 ato 52 d have a predetermined or predefined shape (such as an irregularshape). In such case, one or both ends of the drink supply canisters 24have co-acting or mating predetermined shapes which enable the drinksupply canisters 24 to fit into such receptacles. It should beappreciated that the present invention contemplates a suitable adapteror converter which enables a non-mating drink supply canister to matewith the canister receptacles or to otherwise be installed in thebeverage dispensing apparatus and particularly the drink supply canisterholder of the present invention. These embodiments protect the integrityof the drink supply used by the beverage dispenser. It should beappreciated that the co-acting mating members could also limit the typesof drinks dispensed from certain slots. This could be employed such thatonly certain beverages can be dispensed from certain slots.

[0092] It should also be appreciated that the controller may be adaptedto determine if a suitable drink supply canister is being used in thedrink supply canister holder using sensors, switches or other suitablemechanisms which prevent the operation with incompatible drink supplycanisters.

Drink Supply Containers

[0093] Referring now also to FIGS. 10, 11A to 11D, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 17A, 18, 19, 20 and 21, in one embodiment of the present invention,as seen specifically in FIGS. 18 to 21, the drink supply container orcanister 24 is a pressurizable, cylindrical shaped encasement which hasa cylindrical wall or body 62 having top and bottom ends, a gas inletvalve 64 and a drink supply outlet valve 66. The drink supply canister24 can be constructed of any suitable type of material, having any wallthickness which is suitable for safely retaining gas and fluidpreferably within the pressure range of one (1) pound per square inch(“PSI”) to one hundred (100) PSI. One preferred embodiment of the drinksupply canister 24 is constructed from polyethelyneterathilate (“PET”),having a wall thickness of approximately 38 G PRsform, length of 247.20and diameter of 73 mm, and adapted to hold a 24 oz. volume of drinksupply.

[0094] In one embodiment of the present invention, the technique forfilling drink supply canisters can be substantially the same as thetechnique presently used when filling soft drink cans, bottles orcontainers. Specifically, the cylindrical wall 62 and one end of thecanister can be integrally formed, filled with drink supply and thencapped by the other end of the canister which is press fit or otherwiseattached to the cylindrical wall 62.

[0095] In other embodiments of the present invention, the gas inletvalve 64 or the drink supply outlet valve 66 can be used for drinksupply filling purposes. The drink supply canister 24 can be filled withdrink supply by routing drink supply through either of these valves. Forinstance, part or all of the gas inlet valve may serve as a dual purposedevice. The initial purpose is as a filling device during the productionand packaging process at the bottling facility. The second purpose isfor facilitating the flow of CO₂ or other pressurized gas into the drinksupply canister to pressurize the canister. As discussed below, the CO₂gas or pressurized air is communicated through the inlet to providepressure to the drink supply canister to facilitate consistent drinksupply delivery at desired pressure and flow rates to the drink supplyoutlet valve 66.

[0096] In one embodiment, the gas inlet valve 64 is attached to,connected to or otherwise suitably formed in one surface and in oneembodiment the top surface of the drink supply canister 24. Oneembodiment of the gas inlet valve 64 is a spring activated valve whichis predisposed to be normally closed to prevent the flow of gas into orout of the drink supply canister 24. When the gas inlet valve 64 isdepressed or actuated, gas flows through the gas inlet valve 64 into thedrink supply canister 24. The gas inlet valve 64 illustrated in FIGS.18, 20 and 21 includes a spring or biasing member 68 and a sealingmember 70. As further described below, in this embodiment, the closingof the drink supply canister securing member 48 causes gas inlet valve64 to be depressed as specifically illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21. Itshould be appreciated that any suitable gas inlet valve may be employedin the drink supply canister of the present invention as furtherdiscussed below. It should also be appreciated that the gas inlet valvemay be removably connected to the body of the drink supply canister.

[0097] In one embodiment, the drink supply outlet valve 66 is attachedto, connected to or otherwise suitably formed in one surface andpreferably the bottom surface of the drink supply canister 24 asillustrated in FIGS. 19, 20 and 21. One embodiment of the drink outletvalve 66 includes a sealing member 74 which is positioned in the bottomwall or end 72 of the drink supply canister such that the sealing member74 can be tilted or displaced horizontally. In this embodiment, a spout76 is attached to the bottom wall 72 and surrounds the sealing member74. Spout 76 is movably attached to the bottom wall 72 with suitableflexible snap fittings. Spout 76 is preferably cylindrical or conical inshape having opposing open ends. In this embodiment, the drink supplyoutlet valve 66 maintains a seal on the inside of the body of the drinksupply canister 24 when the drink supply canister 24 is pressurized. Inthis embodiment, the drink supply canisters 24 are filled with drinksupply and a sufficient volume of CO₂ gas or other pressurized gas orair to provide an internal pressure sufficient to enable the drinksupply outlet valve 66 to maintain such a seal during shipment and priorto use. The pressure and temperature conditions suitable for the drinksupply outlet valve to maintain such seal will vary depending on thesize and shape of the drink supply canister. In one preferredembodiment, the pressure maintained in the drink supply canister isapproximately ten (10) PSI during shipment and approximately fifteen(15) PSI when inserted into the drink supply canister holder to maintaina consistent flow of beverage through the drink supply outlet valve. Inthis embodiment, when the spout 76 is displaced in a horizontal orsubstantially horizontal fashion as described below, the sealing member74 unseats, and drink supply outlet valve 72 opens and enables thepressurized drink supply to flow through the spout 76. It should beappreciated that other suitable actuatable drink supply outlet valvesmay be employed in the drink supply canisters of the present inventionas further discussed below. It should also be appreciated that the drinksupply outlet valve can be removably attached to the body of the drinksupply canister.

[0098] In this embodiment of the drink outlet valve 66, one or moredrink supply outlet valve actuators 78 are suitably mounted to thebottom of or adjacent to the drink canister support 42 to co-act withthe drink supply outlet valves. The drink supply outlet valve actuators78 can include any suitable mechanical or electromechanical actuatingdevice, such as a solenoid 80 connected to an extension piston, pin orrod or other valve engager or engagement member 82. In the illustratedembodiment, when a user activates a beverage requester 36, thecontroller 38 (described below) causes the appropriate drink supplyoutlet valve actuator 78 to engage and displace spout 76 for apredetermined period of time, which in turn causes the drink supply toflow from the drink supply canister 24 as specifically illustrated inFIGS. 7, 11B and 17 and discussed below. After the predetermined timeperiod elapses, the drink supply outlet valve actuator 78 disengagesspout 76, stopping the flow of the drink supply from the drink supplycanister 24.

Fluid Director

[0099] One embodiment of the beverage dispenser of the presentinvention, as seen in FIG. 2, includes a fluid director such as thefluid director 34 of the beverage dispenser 10. The fluid director 34 isadapted to simultaneously receive the flow of drink supply from thedrink supply canisters 24 and also carbonated or non-carbonated waterfrom the water supplier 26. The fluid director 34 is made from asuitable plastic or polymer such as food grade plastic materials, suchas by injection molding, although it could be made from other suitablematerials and formed in suitable other manners. The fluid director 34includes at least one, and in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10,11A, 11B, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 a plurality of walls 92, which defineand separate the channels 84. The separate channels 84 in the fluiddirector 34 separate the different drink supplies from one another toprevent cross-contamination which occurs when different types ofbeverages mix. Preferably, at any one time, when a user operates thedispensing apparatus 10, only one channel 84 of the fluid director 34 isused. In operation, the drink supply mixes with the carbonated ornon-carbonated water in one of the channels 84 in the fluid director 34,and the fluid director 34 directs the mixture into the beveragecontainer or collector 32 in the beverage container compartment 30 (seeFIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7). The fluid director 34 illustrated in FIGS. 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11A, 11B, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 includes fourchambers or channels 84. In one embodiment, each channel 84 acts as aVenturi tube or passageway which includes a channel entrance 86, throat88 and a channel exit 90, as specifically illustrated in FIG. 16. In oneembodiment, the area of the channel entrance 86 is generally larger thanthe area of the channel exit 90. The channels are sufficiently sized toenable the drink supply and the water to sufficiently mix to form thebeverage. The fluid director 34 is thus constructed with predetermineddimensions and a predetermined shape to enable the typical beveragesupply to mix sufficiently with the water and to facilitate control ofthe beverage brix ratios by suitably adjusting the pressure and flowrate of drink supply and water. It should be appreciated that the fluiddirector could alternatively include a plurality of separate ornon-integral chambers, funnels, passageways or fluid communication linesas illustrated in FIG. 28 and further discussed below.

[0100] In one embodiment, the fluid director 34 is adapted to be removedfrom the refrigerator primarily to enable a user to clean the fluiddirector. In one embodiment of the present invention, the beveragedispenser 10 includes a fluid director access door 94 pivotally orotherwise movably connected to the exterior of freezer compartment dooras generally illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7. When the fluiddirector access door 94 is opened, a user can remove the fluid director34 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The fluid director can be cleaned by handor automatically, such as in a household dishwasher. The fluid director34 is secured within the refrigerator through the use of one or moreslots (not shown). Alternatively, the beverage dispenser may include oneor more locks for securing the fluid director and fluid director accessdoor. In one alternative embodiment, the fluid director includesalignment or mating features such as an edge with a grooved surfacewhich is adapted to line up with grooved slots in the refrigerator tocreate a secure snap fit connection. It should be appreciated that thefluid director access door may be on the interior of the freezercompartment. It should further be appreciated that the beveragedispenser including the fluid director may also be in the refrigeratordoor.

Water Supplier

[0101] The water supplier 26 provides carbonated and non-carbonatedwater for producing the beverages. In one embodiment, part of the watersupplier is located in the lower portion of the refrigerator 12 asillustrated in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, as schematically illustratedin FIG. 3, the water supplier 26 generally includes a water filter 96, awater pump 98, a two-way water valve 100, a water pressure regulator102, a suitable water storage or holding tank 104, a carbonation tank106, a cold transfer device 108, a carbonated fluid communication waterline or conduit 110 and a non-carbonated fluid communication or waterline or conduit 112. The water supplier 26 is preferably connected to adrinkable water source, such as a conventional cold water sourceavailable in residential kitchens.

[0102] In operation, the water passes through the water filter 96 intothe water pump 98. The water filter 96 preferably removes chlorine andmoderate particles from the water to enhance and establish a consistentflavor of the water which is important for maintaining consistency inthe dispensed beverages. It should be appreciated that other suitablewater filter, filtration or purification systems may be used inconjunction with the present invention to provide a consistent taste tothe beverages. The water pump 98 may be any suitable water pump such asa commercially available 115V AC pump which preferably regulates thewater pressure to approximately ninety-five (95) pounds PSI. The waterpump 98 pumps the water to the two-way water valve 100. The two-waywater valve 100 directs the water to the holding tank 104 and thecarbonation tank 106. The water pressure regulator 102 preferablydecreases the water pressure in the holding tank 104 to a manageablewater pressure of approximately fifty (50) PSI. The water pressureregulator may be any suitable regulator such as a commercially available50 PSI regulator. It should be appreciated that the water pump may beconnected to the water lines by suitable quick disconnect connections asillustrated in FIG. 24D discussed below.

[0103] The holding tank 104 preferably stores a sufficient supply ofnon-carbonated water. The refrigerator 12 maintains this reserve watersupply at a relatively low temperature and preferably about forty-five(45) degrees Fahrenheit or less (but not less than thirty-eight (38)degrees Fahrenheit). In this embodiment, the water supply from theholding tank 104 is used if a user requests the dispensing apparatus todispense non-carbonated water alone or if the dispensing apparatus 10requires substantial amounts of non-carbonated water.

[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the carbonation tank 106 is, in oneembodiment, connected to the gas supplier 28. The carbonation tank 106uses CO₂ gas obtained from the gas supplier 28 to carbonate the water.The carbonation tank 106 can include any suitable tank or encasementadapted to withstand the pressure of the CO₂ gas provided by the gassupplier 28 and the carbonated water. The carbonation tank 106preferably includes a conventional safety valve (not shown) whichexhausts the necessary amount of pressure in the carbonation tank 106when the pressure inside carbonation tank 106 exceeds a predeterminedpressure. The safety valve closes when the pressure inside thecarbonation tank 106 is below or reaches a predetermined pressure. Thecarbonation tank 106 also preferably includes a conventional back flowpreventer (not shown) which prevents the carbonated water from flowingbackward to the water source.

[0105] The non-carbonated water from the holding tank 104 and thecarbonated water from the carbonation tank 106 preferably pass through acold transfer device 108 (or alternatively receive chilled water via therefrigerator reserve water supply (not shown), preferably chilled atthirty-eight (38) to forty-five (45) degrees Fahrenheit in separatefluid communication lines or conduits). The cold transfer device 108decreases the temperature of the water so that the resulting mixture ofthe drink supply and carbonated water (i.e., the beverage) maintains arelatively high level of carbonation for optimal drinking enjoyment. Inone embodiment, the cold transfer device 108 is a conventional devicewhich includes one or more tubes or lines (not shown) which are routedthrough a conventional cooling device (not shown). Preferably, the tubesare constructed of aluminum or steel. The cold transfer device 108 maybe constructed of any suitable size or shape, such as eight (8) inchesby twelve (12) inches by two (2) inches.

[0106] In one embodiment, the carbonated water supply line 110 and thenon-carbonated water supply line 112 are each separately mounted atleast partially above the fluid director 34 and below the drink supplycanister 22 holder as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 10, 11A, 11B, 12, 13, and24A to 24C. In one embodiment, the water supplier 26 includes aplurality of separate or individual carbonated water valves 114 andnon-carbonated water valves 116. The carbonated water valves 114 areconnected to the carbonated water line 110, and the non-carbonated watervalves 116 are connected to the non-carbonated water line 112. In onealternative embodiment, which is illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11A, 11B, 12and 13, a suitable water valve actuator 118 is connected to or mountedadjacent to each carbonated water valve 114 and each non-carbonatedwater valve 116. In one embodiment, the water valve actuator 118 includea conventional mechanical actuator (not shown) coupled to a conventionalelectrical activator (not shown).

[0107] In this embodiment, one carbonated water line and associatedwater valve and one non-carbonated water line and associated water valveis associated with each drink supply canister held by the drink supplycanister holder. It should be appreciated that, at any one time onlycarbonated water or only non-carbonated water may be distributed to oneor more designated slots for drink supply canisters because suchcontainers are designated to produce only carbonated drinks ornon-carbonated drinks, respectively.

[0108] When a user activates a beverage requester 36, the controller 38sends a signal to the appropriate water valve actuator 118 to cause theappropriate carbonated water valve 114 or the appropriate non-carbonatedwater valve 116 associated with the desired drink supply canister toopen. The water valve actuator 118 keeps the valve open for apredetermined time period, preferably simultaneous with the opening ofthe drink supply outlet valve in the drink supply canister as describedherein. After such time period elapses, the actuator 118 causes orallows the appropriate valve 114 or 116 to close. As mentioned above, itshould be appreciated that the beverage dispenser of the presentinvention could be adapted to open the drink supply outlet valve and thecarbonated water valve or the non-carbonated water valve beginningsimultaneously at the time the user activates the beverage requester andcontinuing until the user releases or deactivates the beveragedispenser. This embodiment enables the user to determine the amount ofbeverage, dispensed instead of predetermined or fixed amounts beingdispensed.

[0109] In one alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, thecarbonated water line 110 is connected to a single multi-way carbonatedwater valve 120, and the non-carbonated water line 112 is connected to asingle multi-way non-carbonated water valve 122. When a user activates abeverage requester 36, the actuator 118 causes one of the multi-wayvalves to open and direct water to one of a plurality of channels 84 ofthe fluid director for a predetermined time period. It should beappreciated that any suitable device may alternatively be employed toappropriately direct the water and that the multiway valves may beemployed in conjunction with the embodiments described herein which donot include a fluid director.

Water Dispenser of the Water Supplier

[0110] One embodiment of the present invention includes at least one andpreferably a plurality of water dispensers for dispensing carbonated andnon-carbonated water. The water dispensers facilitate and enhance themixing process of the drink supply and the water, and particularly theconsistency and quality of the water-drink supply mixture.

[0111] As illustrated in FIG. 10, in one embodiment, each waterdispenser is in the form of a water tube or water ring 124 disposedbetween and connected to the carbonated water line 110 and thenon-carbonated water line 112. In one embodiment including the fluiddirector, the water rings 124 are positioned over each channel entrance86 of the fluid director 34 as generally illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11A,11B, 12 and 13 (all illustrating one of the water rings positioned aboveeach channel). Depending on the request by the user (using the beveragedispenser) and the type of beverage to be dispensed, either thenon-carbonated water valve 116 or the carbonated water valve 114 will beopened to cause non-carbonated water or carbonated water to flow intothe appropriate water ring 124. The water ring 124 directs the waterinto the appropriate channel 84 of the fluid director 34 in theembodiment having the fluid director. In one embodiment, the water ring124 is a substantially cylindrical tubular member (preferably made frompolyvinylchloride (“PVC”) which defines a central aperture 125. In theembodiment having the fluid director, the drink supply from theappropriate drink supply canister is directed into the channel 84 of thefluid director 34 through the aperture 125, as illustrated in FIGS. 11Band 13. In the embodiment without the fluid director, as seen in FIG.29, the drink supply from the appropriate drink supply canister 24 isdirected directly into the beverage container through the aperture 125.

[0112] In the embodiment of FIGS. 11B and 13, the water ring 124includes a plurality of relatively small openings or orifices 127 alongits bottom or inner circumference. The orifices are preferably locatedon the inner diameter of the center of the water ring 124 preferably ata seventy (70) degree angle from the horizontal plane defined by thewater ring. When water flows into the water ring from the water line 110or 112, the water is directed through the orifices 127, forming arelatively evenly distributed circular spray of water. This circularspray completely surrounds the stream of drink supply which flowsthrough the central aperture 125. The drink supply stream which in oneembodiment is substantially cylindrical in shape, including asubstantially cylindrical stream wall. The spray of the water streamsfrom the water ring strikes and interacts with or penetrates this streamwall at a plurality of positions along the circumference of the drinksupply stream wall. In this embodiment, there are a plurality of suchpositions which are approximately uniformly spaced about the entirecircumference of the drink supply stream wall. In one alternativeembodiment, there are at least four of such positions separated from oneanother by approximately ninety (90) degrees to provide sufficientpenetration and mixture. It should be appreciated that other positionsor arrangements may be employed in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0113] In a further embodiment, as discussed below in relation to FIG.29, the water ring 124 a includes a plurality of water injectors 125 afor directing the carbonated or non-carbonated water into the drinksupply stream. The water injectors 125 a determine the approximatepositions along the drink supply stream wall which will receive a flowor injection of water. The water injectors 125 a also determine orcontrol the angle at which the water will flow out of the water ring 124a. The specific water pressure, canister pressure, shape and dimensionof the water ring and water injectors and the angular orientation of thewater injectors all affect the water-drink supply mixing process. Thesefactors or variables can be determined so as to establish a relativelyhigh quality and reliable mixing process.

[0114] As specifically illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the drinksupply outlet valve 66 of the drink supply canister 24 is positionedabove the central aperture of the water ring 124 to direct the drinksupply into the channel 84 through the central aperture 125 in the waterring 124. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 29, the drinksupply canister is positioned offset from the water ring 124 a (see FIG.29). When the drink supply outlet valve actuator 78 engages the drinksupply outlet valve 66, the drink supply is directed through the centralaperture of the water ring (as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 29).

[0115] In one alternative embodiment, the carbonated water lines andvalves are connected to a single water dispenser (not shown). The waterdispenser includes internal walls which form separate sections for eachcarbonated water valve. The non-carbonated water line and valves arealso connected to a single water dispenser (not shown). This waterdispenser includes internal walls which form separate sections for eachnon-carbonated water valve. In a further alternative embodiment, aplurality of water rings (not shown) are connected or joined, forming asingle member which distributes water in the same manner as if the waterrings were separated. In a further alternative embodiment, the waterdispenser includes opposing water injectors connected to the valveswhich direct carbonated and non-carbonated water in the appropriatedirection to mix with the drink supply from the drink supply canisters.

[0116] It should be appreciated that the water dispenser or water tubeof the present invention does not have to be circular, cylindrical orsubstantially cylindrical. The water tube of the present invention maybe any suitable shape. For instance, the water tube 124 c may not becompletely circular as illustrated in FIG. 11C. The water tube 124 d mayalso, for instance, be semi-circular as illustrated in FIG. 11D.Preferably, the water tube does not include sharp turns which tend tocause turbulence in the water tube and unequal dispensing of the water.

Gas Supplier

[0117] The gas supplier, in one embodiment of the beverage dispenser,facilitates the steady and consistent dispensing of the drink supplyfrom the drink supply canister. As dispensing occurs, the gas supplierensures that the drink supply flow rate out of the drink supply canisterdoes not substantially change even though the volume of drink supply inthe drink supply canister is steadily decreasing. The gas supplierapplies a pressure to the inside of the drink supply canisters which iscontrolled by one or more regulators which adjust the gas pressure asnecessary to produce this steady drink supply flow rate. The controlover the flow rate enables the beverage dispenser of the presentinvention to control the brix or ratio of drink supply and carbonated ornon-carbonated water.

[0118] One embodiment of the gas supplier 28 of the beverage dispenser10 includes one or more, and preferably a plurality of gas supplycanisters 126 which contain CO₂ gas, as generally illustrated in FIGS.2, 3, 22 and 23. In one embodiment, the gas supply canisters 126 arecylindrical in shape, although the gas supply canisters may be anysuitable shape. The gas supply canisters may be constructed from anysuitable material having a wall thickness suitable for the storage ofgas in the approximate pressure range of eight hundred (800) to onethousand (1000) PSI. The gas supply canisters preferably include asuitable gas canister valve (not shown) for allowing the release of theCO₂ gas from the gas supply canister.

[0119] In one embodiment, the gas supply canisters 126 hold one hundred(100) grams or less, and preferably seventy-eight (78) grams or less ofCO₂ gas. Certain shipping regulations allow a plurality of CO₂ supplycanisters, each holding seventy-eight (78) grams or less of CO₂, to beshipped in the same box or package. Thus, in this embodiment, severalCO₂ gas supply canisters can be shipped to a user in a single package.It should be appreciated that the gas supply canister size, shape andmaterial can vary to accommodate various shipping regulations andmanufacturing and distribution methods.

[0120] In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG.22, the gas supplier includes a gas supply canister holder or frame 128which is preferably attached to or mounted in the interior in a securelockable location out of children's reach and adapted to hold the gassupply canisters 126. Each gas supply canister 126 includes a gascanister valve 130 as also illustrated in FIG. 3 for facilitatingrelease of the CO₂ gas from the gas supply canisters. The gas supplier28 includes a gas manifold 132 connected to the gas supply canisterholder or frame 128 and adapted to direct the gas to a gas pressureregulator 134 and a two-way gas valve 136. The gas manifold 132 can beany suitable encasement or reservoir, preferably adapted to hold CO₂ gasat a maximum pressure of one thousand (1000) PSI, and preferably atleast eight hundred (800) PSI. When a gas supply canister is connectedto the gas manifold, the gas manifolds equalizes or substantiallyequalizes the pressurized gas provided by each gas supply canister andprovides a single stream of gas.

[0121] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 22, the gas manifold 132includes a plurality of gas manifold valves 138. Each gas supplycanister 126 is adapted to be connected to one of the gas manifoldvalves 138 in any suitable manner such as by a threaded connection. Thegas manifold 132 is intended to provide a sufficient quantity or volumeof carbon-dioxide gas to the carbonation tank 106. In this embodiment,the CO₂ gas is transferred via flexible braided tubing (not shown)providing a consistent inescapable supply of CO₂ gas to both thecarbonation tank 106 as well as the drink supply canisters 24. The gasmanifold 132 connected to the gas supply canisters is preferably aconventional safe transfer device that provides consistent low pressureflow to the drink supply canisters.

[0122] In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 23, a gas supplycanister binder 140 is adapted to join, bind or connect a plurality ofgas supply canisters 126. The gas supply canister binder 140 can includea plastic or polymer-based template adapted to snap-fit on the pluralityof gas supply canisters 126. It should be appreciated that the gassupply canister binder 140 could alternatively include any device whichsuitably joins or connects two or more gas supply canisters 126. Gassupply canister binder 140 maintains a pre-determined distance betweeneach gas supply canister and also enables a user to conveniently installa plurality of gas supply canisters 126 as a single unit. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 23, the connected gas supply canisters126 are connected to the manifold by a sliding, slotted or snapmechanism.

[0123] In one step, by inserting the pack of connected gas supplycanisters 126 into the gas supply canister holder 128, the user opensall of the gas supply canister valves 130 a and gas manifold valves 138a. After the pack is connected to the manifold 132 a, the gas flows fromthe gas supply canisters 126 into the gas manifold 132 a.

[0124] In one embodiment, the gas pressure regulator 134 is aconventional regulator adapted to reduce CO₂ gas pressure to levels inthe approximate pressure range between ten (10) and eighty (80) PSI. Thetwo-way gas valve 136 is connected to gas lines 142 a and 142 b. Gasline 142 a communicates gas to the drink supply canisters 24, and gasline 142 b communicates gas to the water supplier 26.

[0125] Referring back to FIGS. 8 and 9, gas line 142 a is connected to agas conduit 144. In this embodiment, the gas conduit 144 is connected toone or more, and preferably a plurality of gas feed lines 146 a to 146d. Each gas feed line is connected to one of the tubular gas injectors148 a to 148 d which extend through the drink supply canister securingmember 48. When the drink supply canister securing member 48 is closed,gas injectors 148 a to 148 d engage drink supply canisters 24 andcommunicate gas to the drink supply canisters through the gas inletvalves of the canisters.

[0126] In one embodiment further illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the gassupplier valve 54 includes a tubular guide member 151 which is adaptedto engage the drink supply canister to prevent gas from escaping, andgas supplier valves 54 a to 54 d are housed within these guide membersand connected to the gas feed lines 146 a to 146 d. Each gas suppliervalve in this embodiment includes a sealing member 150 and a spring 152.

[0127] To enable the drink supply canister securing member 48 to openand close, gas feed lines 146 a, 146 b, 146 c and 146 d are preferablyany suitable flexible communication line such as a rubber, polymer orcoiled aluminum connector or hose. Alternatively, the connection betweengas line 142 a and gas conduits 146 a to 146 d can be any suitablerotatable or movable connection. It should also be appreciated that thedrink supply canister holder may be alternatively constructed such thatthe gas feed lines are stationary and the drink supply canisters arepositioned to engage the feed lines.

[0128] As illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23, the gas supply canisters 126of the gas supplier 28 are filled with gas in any suitable manner. Inone embodiment, the gas supply canisters 126 are filled with gas bydirecting gas through the gas canister valves 130. In anotherembodiment, a valve is constructed within a wall of the gas supplycanister for gas filling purposes. This valve may have only a one-timeuse or it may be used repeatedly for the purpose of refilling used gassupply canisters. It should be appreciated that, instead of obtaininggas from gas supply canisters for pressurizing the drink supplycanisters 24, an air or gas compressor or generator (not shown) can beconnected to the gas line 142 a to provide pressurized air or gas forthe pressurization of the drink supply canisters 24.

[0129] As mentioned above, gas line 142 b is connected to thecarbonation tank 106, to direct CO₂ gas to produce carbonated water. Asdescribed above, the interaction of the CO₂ gas and non-carbonated watercreates carbonated water in a conventional manner.

[0130] In the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 24A, 24B, 24Cand 24D, the gas supplier 28 a includes a gas supply canister 126 whichis mounted directly to gas line 142 a and positioned adjacent to thedrink supply canister holder 22. The gas supply canister 126 isconnected to a gas pressure regulator 134, a gas manifold 132 and atwo-way gas valve 136. The two-way gas valve 136 is connected to gasline 142 a and gas line 142 b. As indicated above, gas line 142 adirects CO₂ gas to gas conduit 144 (see FIGS. 9 and 24A), gas feed lines146 a, 146 b, 146 c and 146 d and ultimately to the drink supplycanisters 24. As indicated above, gas line 142 b directs gas to thecarbonation tank 106 for the production of carbonated water. In thisembodiment, a user can access the gas supply canister 126 by openingdrink supply canister access door 40 (see FIGS. 1, 4 and 5). It shouldbe appreciated that other suitable mechanisms may be employed to enablea user to access the gas supply canister(s).

[0131] It should further be appreciated from FIGS. 24A, 24B, 24C and 24Dthat the water is supplied from a water source which travels through awater filter 96 and a water pump 98 to the carbonation tank 106 asdescribed above. The carbonation tank 106 mixes the water and the CO₂gas to form carbonated water which is supplied via the carbonated waterfluid communication line 110 to the water dispensers. It should also beappreciated that the water source provides non-carbonated water throughthe non-carbonated fluid communication line 112 to the water dispensersas described above.

[0132] As illustrated in FIGS. 24B, 24C and 24D, in one preferredembodiment of the present invention, the water pump 98 is connected tothe system by conventional quick disconnect connections 99 a and 99 b.These connections facilitate the assembly of the water supplier and anyrepair or replacement necessary of the water pump. It should further beappreciated that quick disconnect connections may also be employed forthe water filter and one or more other components of the beveragedispenser.

[0133] In an alternative embodiment, a gas supply canister (not shown)is directly connected to each drink supply canister. The gas supplycanister can be connected to the drink supply canister in any suitablefashion, such as a press fit, threadable engagement or a suitableconnection. In addition, the connection can involve suitable valvesconstructed within the drink supply canister and the gas supplycanister. In this embodiment, a separate supply of gas can be used forproducing the carbonated water. This gas supply can be connecteddirectly to the carbonation tank.

Valves And Valve Actuators

[0134] As illustrated in FIG. 11A and as described above, one embodimentof the dispensing apparatus 10 includes a plurality of valves and valveactuators, including the drink supply outlet valves 66, carbonated watervalves 114 and non-carbonated water valves 116. In one embodiment, eachvalve is adapted to be activated by a valve actuator. In one embodiment,drink supply outlet valve actuators 78 are used to activate the drinksupply outlet valves 66, and the water valve actuators 118 are used toactivate the carbonated water valves 114 and the non-carbonated valves116.

[0135] In one embodiment, the drink supply outlet valve actuator 78includes an extension rod 82 extending from a solenoid adapted to engagethe spout 76 to cause the sealing member 74 to unseat as indicated aboveand illustrated in FIGS. 11B and 17. When the spout 76 is engaged by theactuator 78, the pressurized drink supply is released through the drinksupply outlet valve 66 of the drink supply canister 24 and is directedthrough the central aperture 125 in the water ring 124 into theappropriate channel 84 of the fluid director 34 (in the embodimenthaving the fluid director). Simultaneously, the appropriate actuator 118is activated to cause the carbonated water valve 114 or thenon-carbonated water valve 116 to open. Carbonated or non-carbonatedwater is directed into the same channel 84 of the fluid director 34 (inthe embodiment having the fluid director) as described above andspecifically illustrated in FIGS. 11B and 13.

[0136] The drink supply outlet valve and the drink supply outlet valveactuator co-act to cause the appropriate amount of drink supply to bedispensed. It should be appreciated that alternative embodiments of thedrink supply outlet valve and the drink supply outlet valve actuator maybe employed in the beverage dispenser in accordance with the presentinvention. One such alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 37Ato 37F and discussed below.

Controller

[0137] One embodiment of the present invention includes a controller 38including a computer and electronic components and connections asillustrated in FIG. 3. The computer includes at least one processor 156and one or more memory devices 158. Preferably, the controller 38 ishoused within the refrigerator 12, however it should be appreciated thatit can be located outside the refrigerator 12. In such case, electricalcommunication lines or wire communication are preferably used tofacilitate communication between the controller 38, the actuators andother components housed within the refrigerator 12. Alternatively,wireless communication may be employed.

[0138] In one embodiment, the memory devices 158 are adapted to storedata and at least one actuator program. The actuator program providesthe processor 158 with instructions for controlling the operation of thevalve actuators. The actuator program enables the processor tosynchronize the operation of the actuators which controls the openingand closing of the valves in response to inputs. An input could be, forexample, a signal generated when a user activates or pushes one of thebeverage requestors 36. The actuator program also provides the processorwith instructions for controlling the duration during which variousvalves remain open.

[0139] It should be appreciated that the dispensing apparatus of thepresent invention can be adapted to receive and store data associatedwith predetermined drink supplies or beverages. The processor 156 canuse this data in conjunction with the actuator program to producebeverages in accordance with predetermined specifications. For example,certain beverages may require different percentages of drink supply andcarbonated water, certain beverages may require different percentages ofdrink supply and non-carbonated water, and certain beverages may requiredifferent percentages of drink supply and carbonated and non-carbonatedwater (to vary the level of carbonation). This information or data canbe loaded and stored in the memory device for the production of specificbeverages.

[0140] In the embodiment where the beverage dispenser includes an inputdevice such as a touch screen, the beverage dispensing system of thepresent invention may enable a user to input the type of drink supplyand the position of the drink supply such that the controller knows orcan determine the appropriate brix ratio. It should be appreciated thatthe present invention can alternatively include at least one reader orsensor (not shown) for determining the type of drink supply from a labelor other readable device on the drink supply canister

[0141] In one further embodiment of the present invention, the beveragedispenser includes an optical sensor or any other suitable type ofsensor (not shown). The sensor is connected to the controller. Thesensor detects when a cup or beverage container is in the beveragecontainer compartment. If the beverage container is at a position in thecompartment, the controller will enable the valve actuators to function.This prevents the valve actuators from causing the drink supply and thewater to be dispensed when a beverage cup or beverage container is notpresent in the beverage dispensing compartment or in the correctposition in the beverage dispensing compartment. Referring back to theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 24B and 24C, the user must place thebeverage container beneath the desired beverage requester 37 a to 37 din order to obtain a desired beverage. The beverage dispenser mayinclude a plurality of optical sensors, one associated with eachbeverage requester. These sensors can detect if a beverage container isproperly located beneath the particular beverage requester pushed by auser. Such sensors are designed to prevent beverage waste.

Further Alternative Embodiments

[0142] In one alternative embodiment of the present invention,illustrated in FIG. 25, beverage dispenser 10 a includes a drink supplycanister holder 22 a which is pivotally mounted within the refrigerator12 a. The drink canister access door 40 a is rigidly connected to thedrink supply canister holder 22 a, and functions as a handle foraccessing the drink supply canister holder 22 a. A user can tilt orrotate the drink supply canister holder 22 a by pulling on the upperportion of the drink canister access door 40 a. It should be appreciatedthat the drink supply canister securing member (not shown) of thecanister holder 22 a is preferably separated from the canister holder 22a. The securing member (not shown) is mounted within the refrigerator insuch a manner that when the canister holder 22 a is tilted outwardly,the securing member (not shown) disengages the canister holder 22 a.When a user pivots canister holder 22 a back to a vertical position, thesecuring member (not shown) automatically engages the canister holder 22a as well as the drink supply canisters 24 therein. As the securingmember engages the drink supply canisters, CO₂ gas or pressurized airflows into the canister for the purpose of delivering pressure for thedispensing of the drink supply as described above. It should beappreciated that the drink supply canister holder of the presentinvention may be removably mounted in the freezer or refrigeratorcompartment.

[0143] In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 26, the beveragedispenser 10 b includes a drink supply canister access door 40 b whichis slidably mounted to the exterior of or in the freezer compartmentdoor 14 b. A user can open the drink supply canister access door 40 b bysliding it upwardly to an open position as illustrated in FIG. 26.Through the use of one or more conventional springs or other suitablemechanisms, the door will remain in the open position until a usercloses it. It should also be appreciated that the drink supply canisterholder may alternatively be constructed as a slidable draw mechanism tofacilitate access to the drink container.

[0144] Similarly, it should be appreciated that the fluid directoraccess door may be alternatively constructed for the embodimentincluding the fluid director. For instance, the fluid director accessdoor may be connected to a drawer member (not shown). The drawer membermay be horizontally and slidably mounted within the refrigerator. Thefluid director is supported by the drawer member and fits within one ormore slots included in the drawer member. When a user pulls out thedrawer member, the fluid director becomes accessible to a user. A usercan remove the fluid director from the drawer member, clean it andreplace it.

[0145] It should also be appreciated that the fluid director may takealternative forms. In one example alternative embodiment illustrated inFIG. 27, the fluid director 34 a has a plurality of channels 84 a whicheach include a carbonated water inlet 160 a to 160 d and anon-carbonated water inlet 162 a to 162 d, respectively. The channels 84a, separated by walls 92, are adapted to receive drink supply,carbonated water, non-carbonated water and other fluids in the channelentrance to enable the incoming fluids to mix or interact as they travelthrough the throat and then flow through channel exit area into acollector or container.

[0146] In another alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 28, thefluid director 34 b has a plurality of individual channels 84 a, 84 b,84 c and 84 d. Each individual channel is connected to an outlet 85 bwhich directs the beverage into a container 32. It should be appreciatedthat each of the separate or individual beverage channels 84 a, 84 b, 84c and 84 d may be separately removed for cleaning, repair andreplacement purposes.

Gas Injector

[0147] One alternative embodiment of the present invention includes agas injector adapted to directly inject the CO₂ gas or other suitablegas into the drink supply canisters to adequately pressurize the drinksupply canisters as generally illustrated in FIGS. 30A and 30B.

[0148] In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 30A, the gas supplierincludes a gas injector 148 a which includes a gas injection pin 149which is adapted to pierce a surface of the drink supply canister 24 ato inject gas into the drink supply canister 24 a. The portion of thedrink supply canister 24 a which is pierced functions as the gas inletvalve of the drink supply canister 24 a. This engagement prevents gasfrom escaping the drink supply canister. In a further embodimentillustrated in FIG. 30B, the drink supply canister 24 b includes agrommet or other suitable gas inlet valve 64 b which is adapted toreceive a gas injection pin 149 of a gas injector 148 b. This functionsto pressurize the drink supply container 24 b.

Operation

[0149] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 11B and 31, to operate theembodiment of the beverage dispensing apparatus of the present inventionwhich includes a fluid director (as described above), a user installs atleast one drink supply canister 24 into the refrigerator 12, by openingthe drink supply canister access door or compartment 40 and placing thedrink supply canister 24 into drink supply canister holder 22 asindicated by block 164. The gas supplier pressurizes the drink supply inthe drink supply canisters 24 as indicated by block 166 using the gassupplied by the gas supplier as indicated in block 170. The watersupplier 26 provides a supply of water (preferably including bothcarbonated and non-carbonated water), available for delivery to thefluid director 34 as indicated by block 168. The gas supplier 28 routesgas to the carbonation tank 106 of the water supplier 26 and preferablyroutes gas to the drink supply canisters containers 24, as indicated byblock 170.

[0150] When a user provides an input, for example, by pushing one of thebeverage requestors 36, the controller sends a signal to the appropriatevalve actuators for causing the appropriate valves to open forpredetermined periods of time, causing the drink supply and water toflow into at least one channel 84 of the fluid director 34, as indicatedby block 172. The drink supply-water mixture flows through channel 84and into a beverage container 32, as indicated by block 174. A user canthen drink and enjoy the desired beverage, as indicated by block 176. Itshould be appreciated that the same general process will apply to theembodiments without the fluid director, wherein the drink supply andcarbonated or non-carbonated water are mixed on the fly and directedinto the beverage container.

[0151] It should also be appreciated that the beverage requesters couldalternatively enable the user to control the volume of beveragedispensed by the amount of time the user activates the beveragedispenser (such by pushing a mechanical beverage requester button) or byinputting a volume amount (such as selecting one of a four (4) ouncebeverage container indicator, eight (8) ounce beverage containerindicator, twenty (20) ounce beverage container indicator, ortwenty-four (24) ounce beverage container indicator on a beveragerequester in the form of an input screen or touch screen.

Alternative Embodiment Without Fluid Director

[0152] As mentioned above and as generally illustrated in FIGS. 24B, 24Cand 29, one preferred alternative embodiment of the beverage dispenserof the present invention, generally indicated by numeral 10 a, does notemploy a fluid director. The beverage dispenser 10 a of this embodimentdirectly dispenses the drink supply and the carbonated or non-carbonatedwater into the beverage containers or collectors 32. The beveragedispenser 10 a is adapted to be mounted in a housing and preferably in arefrigerator as described above with respect to beverage dispenser 10.

[0153] Generally, the beverage dispenser or beverage dispensingapparatus 10 a of this embodiment of the present invention includes: (a)a drink supplier including a drink supply canister holder or frame 22 afor holding or maintaining at least one and preferably a plurality ofdrink supply canisters 24 and drink supply valve actuators 78 forcausing the drink supply to be selectively released from the drinksupply canisters 24; (b) a water supplier 26 for selectively supplyingcarbonated water and non-carbonated water for mixing or making thebeverages; (c) a gas supplier 28 a for supplying CO₂ gas to carbonatethe carbonated water provided by the water supplier 26, and forsupplying CO₂ gas or other pressurized air for pressurizing the drinksupply canisters 24; (d) a beverage container compartment 30 for holdingone or more beverage collectors or containers 32 (such as a glass, cupor pitcher); (e) a controller (not shown) for controlling and trackingthe dispensing of drink supply and carbonated or non-carbonated water;and (f) one or more suitable beverage requesters (not shown). In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 24B and 24C, the beverage requestors areconventional levers 37 a, 37 b, 37 c and 37 d mounted in the beveragecontainer compartment 30 and are preferably in electronic communicationwith the controller (not shown). It should be appreciated that thebeverage requesters could alternatively be directly in communicationwith the valve actuators. Also, in other embodiments the beveragerequesters can be levers which are preferably spring-activated. When auser pushes a lever, the beverage dispenser dispenses beverage into theuser's beverage container.

[0154] Generally, in operation, after the user installs the drink supplycanisters 24, the gas inlet valve 64 associated with each drink supplycanister 24 causes the CO₂ gas to flow from the gas supplier 28 a intothe drink supply canisters 24. This pressurizes the drink supplycanisters 24. When a user desires to obtain a beverage, the user makesthe user's request through the appropriate beverage requester 37 a, 37b, 37 c or 37 d which is connected to or in communication with thecontroller. Upon receiving a beverage dispense signal, the controllercauses the drink supply outlet valve actuator (not shown) to cause thedrink supply outlet valve (not shown) associated with the appropriatedrink supply canister 24 to open to dispense the appropriate amount ofdrink supply from that drink supply canister 24. This drink supplystream is directed downward into the beverage container 32.Simultaneously, the controller causes the water supplier 26 to directthe appropriate amount of carbonated or non-carbonated water through theappropriate water dispenser into the stream of the drink supply and intothe same beverage container 32 as specifically illustrated in phantom inFIG. 29. The drink supply stream and the carbonated or non-carbonatedwater stream mix on the fly while directed into the beverage container32. In one preferred embodiment, the beverage dispenser of the presentinvention includes a water dispenser or water ring associated with eachcanister and associated carbonated and non-carbonated water linesconnected to each water ring as discussed above.

[0155] In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 29, the beverage collector 32is positioned with respect to the drink supply outlet valve 66 and waterdispenser 124 a in such a manner that the water streams 131 frominjectors 125 a contact the drink supply stream 129 at a location insidethe collector 32. The collision of the fluid streams occurring below thetop of the collector 32 minimizing the spilling, loss and splashing offluids. In this embodiment, it should be appreciated that the waterstreams 131 interact and mix with the drink supply stream 129,preferably in mid-air as well as within the collector 32 as the beveragerises to the top of the collector 32.

Alternative Embodiments of Drink Supply Canister Holder or Frame

[0156] It should be appreciated that the drink supply canister holdercan be constructed in several alternative manners. In one alternativeembodiment generally illustrated in FIGS. 32, 33, 34 and 35, the drinkcanister holder or frame 22 b is built into or constructed within therefrigerator compartment door 16, although it should be appreciated thatthe drink canister holder or frame 22 b could be built into the freezercompartment door or another part of the refrigerator or freezercompartments as discussed above. In this alternative embodiment, thedrink supply canisters are accessible from the interior of therefrigerator compartment door 16 to enable the users to replace thedrink supply canisters by opening the refrigerator door. In thisembodiment, the drink supply canister holder pivots inwardly to enable auser to replace the drink supply containers as generally illustrated inFIGS. 32 and 33.

[0157] In the embodiment of the drink supply canister holder 22 billustrated in FIGS. 32, 33, 34 and 35, the drink supply canister holder22 b includes a drink canister support 42 b, an exterior drink supplycanister guide 44 b connected to the drink supply canister support 42 b,an interior drink supply canister guide 46 b connected to the drinksupply canister support 42 b and a drink supply canister securing member48 b. The drink supply canister support 42 b is pivotally connected tothe refrigerator door to facilitate the placement and removal of drinksupply canisters from the holder 22 b. The drink supply canister support42 b includes drink canister slots 50 a, 50 b, 50 c and 50 d,respectively, for receiving the drink supply canisters 24. Likewise,securing member 48 b includes a plurality of gas supplier valves 54 a,54 b, 54 c and 54 d which are part of the gas supplier 28. With respectto replacing drinks supply containers, this embodiment functions similarto the embodiments described above. When the securing member 48 bcloses, the canister slots fit over the drink supply canisters 24 andrestrict their movement and the gas supplier valves 54 a, 54 b, 54 c and54 d also engage the gas inlet valves in the drink supply canisters toenable CO₂ gas or other pressurized gas to flow into and pressurize thedrink supply canisters 24 as discussed above. This embodiment may alsoinclude co-acting mating members (not shown) which ensure that suitabledrink supply canisters are used in connection with the beveragedispenser.

[0158] A further alternative embodiment of the drink supply canisterholder or frame is illustrated in FIGS. 36A to 36C. In this embodiment,the frame 22 c includes a support member 178 for a plurality ofindependently pivoting drink supply canister compartments 180, anexterior guide wall 182 connected to the support member 178, opposingside guide walls 184 a and 184 b connected to the exterior guide wall182 and support member 178 and two spaced-apart opposing legs 186 a and186 b connected to the support member 178. Each canister compartment 180is adapted to receive a drink supply canister 24. Each canistercompartment 180 includes a canister support 188 connected to two sets ofspaced apart opposing compartment walls 190. The canister support 188includes an opening or aperture 190 which receives the drink supplyoutlet valve 66 of the drink supply canister 24. The canistercompartment 180 is sized to slidably receive the drink supply canisters24. In the illustrated embodiment, a hinge 190 is employed to pivotallyconnect the canister compartment 180 to the support member 178. Itshould be appreciated that other suitable connections may be employed tofacilitate easy access to the compartments. Each canister compartment180 is adapted to independently pivot from an open or accessibleposition to a closed or usable position. The open position enables auser to easily remove an empty drink supply canister 24 and insert a newfilled drink supply canister 24. In the closed position, the drinksupply canister 24 is in a useable position which enables the beveragedispenser of the present invention to cause the drink supply canister 24to dispense the drink supply. In this embodiment, the drink supplycanisters 24 can be pre-pressurized, or the canister holder 22 c caninclude any device for suitably connecting a gas line (not shown) to thedrink supply canisters 24 in order to pressurize the drink supply in thecanisters 24 to facilitate the steady and consistent dispensing of thedrink supply from the drink supply canister as the volume of the drinksupply in the drink supply canister decreases.

[0159] A further alternative embodiment of the drink supply canisterholder or frame is illustrated in FIG. 37B. This embodiment, which issimilar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 36A to 36C, includes adrink supply canister holder 22 d having a slot 196 formed in theopposing walls 192 of each canister compartment 180 to facilitate theremoval of the drink supply canister 24 a from the drink supply canisterholder 22 d. Additionally, drink supply canister holder 22 d includes agas supply and securing members 198 hingedly connected to the exteriorguide wall (not shown) of the drink supply canister holder 22 d. Eachgas supply and securing member 198 is separately associated with acanister compartment 180 is adapted to secure the drink supply canistercompartment and is adapted to provide a supply of gas to the drinksupply canister 24 a housed in such canister compartment 180 topressurize the drink supply canister. In one embodiment, the gas supplyand securing member 198 is a cover which, when closed, covers the upperend of the canister compartment 180. This gas supply and securing member198 includes a gas injector 148 a which is adapted to engage the gasinlet valve 64 c of the canister 24 a. In operation, a user opens thegas supply and securing member 198, outwardly tilts the drink supplycanister compartment and removes an empty drink supply canister 24 afrom the drink supply canister compartment 180. The user may then inserta full drink supply canister 24 a into the drink supply canistercompartment 180 and inwardly rotate the drink supply canistercompartment to the closed position. When the user closes the gas supplyand securing member 198, the beverage dispenser of the present inventionpressurizes the drink supply in the canister 24 a for the consistentdispensing of drink supply at a predetermined rate.

Water Supplier of the Alternative Embodiment

[0160] As described above, the water supplier provides carbonated andnon-carbonated water for mixing the beverages. In one embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 37A to 37F, the water supplier 26 a generallyincludes a water filter 96 a, a water pump 98 a, a cold transfer device108 a, a carbonation tank 106 a, a carbonated water line 110 a and anon-carbonated water line 112 a. The water supplier 26 a is connected toa drinkable water source (not shown), such as a conventional cold watersource available in residential kitchens. In operation, the water passesthrough the cold transfer device 108 a to reduce the temperature of thewater into the water pump 98 a. The water pump 98 a pumps the water tothe water filter 96 a. The water filter 96 a or a two-way connectionattached thereto routes the cooled water to the non-carbonated waterline 112 a and to the carbonation tank 106 a. The carbonation tank 106 ais suitably connected to the gas supplier through gas line 142 b. Thecarbonation tank 106 a uses CO₂ gas obtained from the gas supplier tocarbonate the water.

[0161] As described earlier, the carbonated water line 110 a andnon-carbonated water line 112 a can be connected to water rings in sucha manner that the water rings are positioned between carbonated waterline 110 a and non-carbonated water line 112 a. In this embodiment,however, the water ring 124 includes two connections for the water lineswhich are separated by less than one hundred eighty (180) degrees alongthe circumference of the water ring 124, and preferably less than ninety(90) degrees. Accordingly, the water lines 110 a and 112 a can bepositioned adjacent to one side of the water rings 124 b with relativelylittle space separating the carbonated water line 110 a and thenon-carbonated water line 112 a as illustrated in FIGS. 37A, 37B, 37C,37D and 37E.

[0162] As best illustrated in FIGS. 37C and 37D, the carbonated waterline 110 a is connected to a plurality of carbonated water valves 114which are respectively connected to and controlled by water valveactuators 118. Similarly, the non-carbonated water line 112 a isconnected to a plurality of non-carbonated water valves 116 which arerespectively connected to and controlled by water valve actuators 118.This water supplier embodiment provides the present invention with amore efficient spacing arrangement for the internal parts of thebeverage dispenser of the present invention. Also, this water supplierembodiment provides a relatively simple construction for mixing drinksupply with water while providing a substantial amount of space for theactuation of the drink supply outlet vales.

Alternative Embodiment of Drink Supply Outlet Valve and Drink SupplyOutlet Valve Actuator

[0163] In one alternative embodiment of the present invention bestillustrated in FIGS. 37B to 37E, each drink supply canister 24 a has arotatable drink supply outlet valve 66 b. The drink supply outlet valve66 b includes a connection member 202 which is connected to a rotatablemember 204. The connection member 202 preferably threadably connects thedrink supply outlet valve 202 to the drink supply canister 24 a. In theillustrated embodiment, rotatable member 204 preferably includes gearteeth.

[0164] In the illustrated embodiment, the drink supply outlet valveactuator 78 a includes a motor 206 and a worm gear 208 attached to themotor 206. In operation, when the controller sends an “open” or “on”signal to the drink supply outlet valve actuator 78 a, the motor 206 inturn causes the worm gear 208 to rotate. The worm gear 208 which engagesthe rotatable member 204 in turn causes the rotatable member to rotateto the open position. As the rotatable member 204 rotates, the rotatablevalve 66 b opens, and pressurized drink supply flows out of the drinksupply canister 24 a for a predetermined period of time. When this timeperiod elapses, the controller sends a “Close” or “Off” signal to theactuator 78 a, and the motor 206 causes the worm gear 208 to rotate inthe opposite direction to close the rotatable valve 66 b, stopping theflow of the pressurized drink supply. Though only one actuator 78 a isillustrated in FIGS. 37B and 37C, it should be appreciated that thisembodiment includes a plurality of drink supply valve actuators 78 a,and preferably one for each drink supply canister 24 a, as illustratedin FIG. 37E. It should also be appreciated that other suitable actuatoror drive mechanisms may be employed to actuate such type of drink supplyoutlet valves.

[0165] It should be appreciated that the dispensing apparatus of thepresent invention, and particularly the controller of the beveragedispensing apparatus can be adapted to communicate electronically withany suitable computer distribution system or electronic network. In oneembodiment, the controller electronically communicates with an orderprocessing system through communication channels such as telephonelines, cable lines, wireless communications and the Internet. The orderprocessing system is capable of receiving and processing orders whichthe controller transmits to the order processing system. Such ordersrelate, for instance, to supplies of drink supply canisters or gassupply canisters, needed repairs and related delivery and distributioninformation. Other services may also be provided or facilitated by thecontroller.

[0166] The beverage dispenser of the present invention accordinglyenables users to conveniently dispense carbonated and non-carbonatedbeverages from residential refrigerators. This beverage dispenser has ahigh degree of reliability and convenience because of its use ofpressurable drink supply canisters and computer-controlled valveactuators. Users can conveniently install drink supply canisters and gassupply containers into the dispensing apparatus. The embodimentincluding the fluid director enables the users to conveniently maintainand clean the dispensing apparatus by providing a removable fluiddirector which can be cleaned in a dishwasher. The embodiment in whichthe drink supply container directly dispenses drink supply, preferablythrough the water dispenser or water ring, provides a beverage dispenserwhich does not need to be regularly cleaned because the dispensedliquids (i.e., water and drink supply) are directly dispensed into thedrink containers. Furthermore, such embodiment not only eliminatescleaning activities but does so without compromising the quality of thewater-drink supply mixing process. This embodiment includes a waterdispenser which facilitates effective fluid mixing on the fly. It shouldbe appreciated that the present invention may be implemented in otherappliances, in counter top beverage dispensing apparatus and incommercial refrigerator and beverage dispensing apparatus.

[0167] While the present invention has been described in connection withwhat is presently considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited tothe disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to covervarious modifications and equivalent arrangements included within thespirit and scope of the claims.

[0168] It is thus to be understood that modifications and variations inthe present invention may be made without departing from the novelaspects of this invention as defined in the claims, and that thisapplication is to be limited only by the scope of the claims.

1. A refrigerator comprising: a housing including a refrigerationcompartment and at least one door which allows access to therefrigeration compartment; a drink supply apparatus supported by thehousing, the drink supply apparatus configured to removably hold aplurality of removable drink supply containers, each of the drink supplycontainers having a drink supply outlet valve and a gas inlet valvewherein each of the drink supply containers can contain a variablevolume of drink syrup, and the drink syrup in each of the drink supplycontainers can have a different flavor; at least one drink supply outletvalve actuator supported by the housing and operable to selectivelyactuate the drink supply outlet valves; a water supply apparatussupported by the housing, the water supply apparatus including acarbonated water line, a carbonated water valve connected to thecarbonated water line, a water dispenser connected to the carbonatedwater valve and at least one water valve actuator operable to actuatethe carbonated water valve; a gas supply apparatus supported by thehousing, the gas supply apparatus configured to hold at least one gassupply container which can contain a variable volume of carbon dioxidegas, the gas supply container connectable to the water supply apparatusand operable to fluidly communicate with the gas inlet valves of thedrink supply containers; a beverage dispensing apparatus supported bythe housing and operable to dispense a plurality of servings ofbeverages into beverage collectors, each of the beverages having: (a) atleast one of the drink syrups supplied by the drink supply apparatus;and (b) carbonated water supplied by the carbonated water line; asupport member connected to the housing and configured to support atleast one of the beverage collectors at any one time; at least onebeverage requester connected to the housing, the beverage requesterenabling a user to input a request for one of the beverages; a processorin communication with the drink supply apparatus, the drink supplyoutlet valve actuator, the water valve actuator, the gas supplyapparatus, the water supply apparatus and the beverage requester; and amemory device accessible by the processor, the memory device storing aplurality of instructions executable by the processor to receive asignal from the beverage requester thereby causing the beveragedispensing apparatus to dispense one of the beverages into one of thebeverage collectors, the beverage dispensed depending upon the requestinput by the user.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the beveragerequester includes a display device in communication with the processor,the display device having a touch panel.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 1,wherein the beverage requester includes a display device incommunication with the processor, the display device having a touchscreen.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the beverage requesterincludes a display device in communication with the processor, thedisplay device having an input screen.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 1,wherein the beverage requester includes a display device incommunication with the processor, the display device having a userinterface.
 6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the beveragerequester includes a display device in communication with the processor,the display device having an indicator.
 7. The refrigerator of claim 1,wherein the beverage requester includes a keyboard.
 8. The refrigeratorof claim 1, wherein the beverage requester includes a button.
 9. Therefrigerator of claim 1, wherein the beverage requester includes anactuator.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the beveragerequester includes an input mechanism enabling the user to select whichone of the beverages will be dispensed by the beverage dispensingapparatus.
 11. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the beveragerequester includes a sensor.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 1, whereinthe beverage requester includes a mechanical requester button.
 13. Therefrigerator of claim 1, which includes a plurality of beveragerequesters connected to the housing, each of the beverage requestersassociated with one of the beverages, the beverage requesters enablingthe user to input requests for different ones of the beverages.
 14. Arefrigerator comprising: a housing including a refrigeration compartmentand at least one door which allows access to the refrigerationcompartment; a drink supply apparatus supported by the housing, thedrink supply apparatus configured to removably hold a plurality ofremovable drink supply containers, each of the drink supply containershaving a drink supply outlet valve and a gas inlet valve wherein each ofthe drink supply containers can contain a variable volume of drinksyrup, and the drink syrup in each of the drink supply containers canhave a different flavor; at least one drink supply outlet valve actuatorsupported by the housing and operable to selectively actuate the drinksupply outlet valves; a water supply apparatus supported by the housing,the water supply apparatus including a carbonated water line, acarbonated water valve connected to the carbonated water line, a waterdispenser connected to the carbonated water valve and at least one watervalve actuator operable to actuate the carbonated water valve; a gassupply apparatus supported by the housing, the gas supply apparatusconfigured to hold at least one gas supply container which can contain avariable volume of carbon dioxide gas, the gas supply containerconnectable to the water supply apparatus and operable to fluidlycommunicate with the gas inlet valves of the drink supply containers; abeverage dispensing apparatus supported by the housing and operable todispense a plurality of servings of beverages into beverage collectors,each of the beverages having: (a) at least one of the drink syrupssupplied by the drink supply apparatus; and (b) carbonated watersupplied by the carbonated water line; a support member connected to thehousing and configured to support at least one of the beveragecollectors at any one time; a display device supported by the housing,the display device operable to display a plurality of indicators each ofthe indicators associated with a different one of the beverages; atleast one beverage requester connected to the housing, the beveragerequester enabling a user to select one of the indicators displayed bythe display device to input a request for the beverage associated withthe selected indicator; a processor in communication with the drinksupply apparatus, the drink supply outlet valve actuator, the watervalve actuator, the gas supply apparatus, the water supply apparatus,the display device and the beverage requester; and a memory deviceaccessible by the processor, the memory device storing a plurality ofinstructions executable by the processor to receive a signal from thebeverage requester thereby causing the beverage dispensing apparatus todispense one of the beverages into one of the beverage collectors, thebeverage dispensed depending upon the request input by the user.
 15. Therefrigerator of claim 14, wherein the beverage requester is selectedfrom the group consisting of a touch panel, a touch screen, an inputscreen and a user interface.
 16. The refrigerator of claim 14, whereinthe beverage requester includes a keyboard.
 17. A refrigeratorcomprising: a housing including a refrigeration compartment and at leastone door which allows access to the refrigeration compartment; a drinksupply apparatus supported by the housing, the drink supply apparatusconfigured to removably hold a plurality of removable drink supplycontainers, each of the drink supply containers having a drink supplyoutlet valve and a gas inlet valve wherein each of the drink supplycontainers can contain a variable volume of drink syrup, and the drinksyrup in each of the drink supply containers can have a differentflavor; at least one drink supply outlet valve actuator supported by thehousing and operable to selectively actuate the drink supply outletvalves; a water supply apparatus supported by the housing, the watersupply apparatus including a carbonated water line, a carbonated watervalve connected to the carbonated water line, a non-carbonated waterline, a non-carbonated water valve connected to the non-carbonated waterline, a water dispenser connected to both the carbonated water valve andthe non-carbonated water valve, and at least one water valve actuatoroperable to actuate the carbonated water valve and the non-carbonatedwater valve; a gas supply apparatus supported by the housing, the gassupply apparatus configured to hold at least one gas supply containerwhich can contain a variable volume of carbon dioxide gas, the gassupply container connectable to the water supply apparatus and operableto fluidly communicate with the gas inlet valves of the drink supplycontainers; a beverage dispensing apparatus supported by the housing andoperable to dispense a plurality of servings of beverages into beveragecollectors, each of the beverages having: (a) at least one of the drinksyrups supplied by the drink supply apparatus; and (b) carbonated watersupplied by the carbonated water line or non-carbonated water suppliedby the non-carbonated water line; a support member connected to thehousing and configured to support at least one of the beveragecollectors at any one time; a display device supported by the housing,the display device operable to display a plurality of indicators each ofthe indicators associated with a different one of the beverages; atleast one beverage requester connected to the housing, the beveragerequester enabling a user to select one of the indicators displayed bythe display device to input a request for the beverage associated withthe selected indicator; a processor in communication with the drinksupply apparatus, the drink supply outlet valve actuator, the watervalve actuator, the gas supply apparatus, the water supply apparatus,the display device and the beverage requester; and a memory deviceaccessible by the processor, the memory device storing a plurality ofinstructions executable by the processor to receive a signal from thebeverage requester thereby causing the beverage dispensing apparatus todispense one of the beverages into one of the beverage collectors, thebeverage dispensed depending upon the request input by the user.
 18. Therefrigerator of claim 17, wherein the beverage is selected from thegroup consisting of a carbonated beverage and a non-carbonated beverage.19. The refrigerator of claim 18, wherein the indicators have differentcharacteristics associated with different ones of the beverages.
 20. Therefrigerator of claim 19, wherein the beverage requester is selectedfrom the group consisting of a touch panel, a touch screen, an inputscreen and a user interface.